IoT (Internet of Things) refers to everyday physical devices, such as thermostats, cameras, meters and industrial sensors, that connect to a network to send data or receive commands.
Why it matters
IoT devices automate homes, factories and cities, but they are often small, low-powered and rarely updated. That makes them security and reliability risks, so patching firmware, changing default passwords and monitoring availability matter.
Common connections include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee and cellular links.
Because there are so many of them, even a small flaw in one product line can expose thousands of devices at once.
Example
sensor -> publishes temperature every 60 s
topic: building1/room4/temperature
payload: {"c": 21.5}The MQTT message is a common lightweight pattern. A heartbeat check can alert you when the sensor stops reporting.
Common mistakes
- Leaving default credentials on cameras and routers.
- Putting IoT devices on the same network as sensitive computers.
- Buying devices that no longer receive firmware updates.
Related
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